Surf Spots in France

If your interests include a lively nightlife, rich local history, superb
food
and consistent swells, than France is for you. Its long coastline
boasts
a glut of hollow beach breaks and some exceptional reef and
point breaks.
Besides good surf, what attracts world-class and average surfers alike
is the total surf experience. On a coastline packed full of culture and waves, you can catch A-frame tubes in the morning and then kick back après surf for some good food, wine and sights.

Culture and ambiance aside, the real draw is the waves. Not to worry - France delivers.

The French Mediterranean and the northern coast of Brittany occasionally deliver waves, but the most dependable surf potential lies to the south. The west-facing Atlantic coastline catches swells as they are funneled into the Bay of Biscay. The SW coast of France, known as the Cote de Basque (Basque Coast), renowned for its wealth of surf, runs down to the border with Spain. Hossegor, Biarritz, Anglet and Guethary, to name a few beaches, are popular surf destinations in this wave rich zone. Tubing beach breaks, pumped with swell from low-pressure systems, are the wave du jour when it’s on. The warm months of June – August find the more popular spots thick with people. But if you are willing to explore and come armed with some basic knowledge, you can find your own peak.

Fall, winter, and spring usher in cooler water and more powerful waves, with winter water temperatures plummeting into the mid to high forties. Those willing to surf the colder months will find light crowds and gaping tubes. The bottom line: France’s Atlantic coast is blessed with hundreds of miles of wave-filled experiences. Whether you surf the spitting beach breaks of Hossegor, the mellow waves of Cote de Basques in Biarritz, or tackle a big wave spot like Guethary, you will enjoy your time in surf-stoked France.

La Torche

One of the most consistent breaks in Brittany region. Long left with some hollow rights.

The Surfers

Crowds in the summer but a generally friendly vibe

Boards

All boards work here

Paddle Out

Easy to difficult depending on size of swell

Skill Level

Intermediate

Bottom

Sandy with some rocks. Topography consists of rocky headlands and coves.

Watch Out For…

Summer crowds and the occasional rock

Water Condition

Relatively clean

Lacanau

Surf Location

North of Hossegor in Gironde region. Home of the Lacanau Pro.

Best Swell Direction

West, Northwest

Best Tide

All

Best Wind Direction

East (offshore)

Best Surf Season

Fall (September-November)

Wave Quality

Fair to excellent depending on swell

The Surfers

Expect crowds in summer. Overall good vibe.

Boards

All boards work here

Paddle Out

Fair to difficult depending on swell. It is a beach break, so big days may be difficult.

Skill Level

Intermediate

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Crowded lineups in summer months

Water Condition

Relatively clean

Hossegor - La Graviere

Surf Location

Central beach of Hossegor near the seafront plaza

Best Swell Direction

West

Best Tide

Low to falling tide

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

Autumn (September-November)

Wave Quality

This world-class beach break produces pits with intense power. Often compared to Hawaiian juice when firing.

The Surfers

All skill levels show up in summer months. In the fall you’ll find experienced surfers hunting serious barrels.

Boards

Shortboard

Paddle Out

Easy to very difficult. Limb-torturing paddles when all the elements line up.

Skill Level

Intermediate to Experienced depending on season

Bottom

Sandy with some rocks

Watch Out For…

Summer crowds and strong riptides in the autumn

Water Condition

Relatively clean

Hossegor

Surf Location

Long beach with multiple peaks. Don’t miss this fertile stretch of beach if you’re in France. Pick your spot and park your car on the side of the road - access via the dune trails. You can also use the parking lot at Les Estangots…another good spot.

Best Swell Direction

Northwest, West

Best Tide

Low incoming tide

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

Fall, Winter and Spring

Wave Quality

Superb spitting tubes. Arguably the best stretch of beach breaks in France.

The Surfers

Pretty good vibe as long as you are respectful. Talent level is high when the waves are firing.

Boards

Shortboard to big wave gun

Paddle Out

Like any strong-breaking beach break, it can be challenging

Skill Level

Intermediate to Pro

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Crowds and thumping closeouts

Water Condition

Can get suspect at times, but generally okay

Hossegor, France - Surf Video

Capbreton -La Piste/WF

Surf Location

Located in the seaside resort of Capbreton, just south of Hossegor

Best Swell Direction

Northwest, West

Best Tide

Low to mid tide

Best Wind Direction

East, Southeast

Best Surf Season

Fall, Winter and Spring

Wave Quality

Good to excellent. This spot is known for spitting tubes close to shore.

The Surfers

Heavy localism, especially in the evening

Boards

Short board

Paddle Out

Depending on the wave size, paddle out can run from easy to difficult

Skill Level

Novice to Pro. Tom Curren made these tubes famous.

Bottom

Sandy

Watch Out For…

Crowds when it’s going off

Water Condition

Relatively clean

Les Cavaliers

Surf Location

5 km of pumping beach break that runs south to Anglet and begins just south of the river Adour

Best Swell Direction

West, Northwest

Best Tide

Low to mid tide

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

Fall, Winter and Spring

Wave Quality

Super hollow wave helped by a series of jetties/breakwaters. Multiple beach breaks of superb quality when swell is present.

The Surfers

Local surfers are skilled and not overly friendly

Boards

Short board

Paddle Out

Moderate

Skill Level

Intermediate to Experienced

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Other surfers and closeouts

Water Condition

Pretty clean

Anglet- Marinella

Surf Location

In Anglet. American world champ Tom Curren lived and surfed consistent barrels in the Anglet area for years.

Best Swell Direction

West, Northwest

Best Tide

Low to mid tide

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

Fall, Winter and Spring

Wave Quality

Quality beach break good for all skill levels

The Surfers

Locals rip, and there are lots of them due to the proximity to the city center

Boards

Short board

Paddle Out

Easy to moderate

Skill Level

Beginner to Intermediate

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Crowds

Water Condition

Relatively clean

Anglet - Les Sables d’Or

Surf Location

Anglet

Best Swell Direction

West, Southwest

Best Tide

Incoming tide

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

Fall, Winter and Spring

Wave Quality

Hollow beach break

The Surfers

Beginners to Expert, very localized

Boards

Short boards

Paddle Out

Easy to moderate

Skill Level

Beginner to Intermediate

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Localism

Water Condition

Relatively clean

Biarritz - Cote de Basques

Surf Location

Seaside resort mecca south of Anglet and north of Guethary, known for its numerous shops and eateries as well its oceanside castle. Good spot for beginner surfers to catch waves… and the scene. (Look for the castle and you're there.)

Best Swell Direction

Anything out of the West

Best Tide

Low and mid tide

Best Wind Direction

Anything with East in it

Best Surf Season

Summer and Fall

Wave Quality

Sheltered right point break that is reliant on shifting sand bars. Not much power, which makes it a good starter wave. “Cool” factor is off the charts - it breaks in front of a castle.

The Surfers

All kinds of surfers and a multitude of surf craft. The place to be in the summer.

Boards

Anything goes

Paddle Out

Easy

Skill Level

Beginner to Expert

Bottom

Sand with some rocks

Watch Out For…

Super fuel-injected crowds

Water Condition

Clean

Biarritz- Gran Plage

Surf Location

In front of the gothic casino and down the beach from Cote de Basque

Best Swell Direction

West and Southwest

Best Tide

Low to mid tide

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

Autumn, Winter and Spring

Wave Quality

Hollow and fast wave that works as a good substitute for a trip north to Anglet

The Surfers

Experienced surfers. Vibe is okay if you show respect.

Boards

Short boards

Paddle Out

Typical for a beach break. Can get tough with big swell.

Skill Level

Intermediate

Bottom

Sand

Watch Out For…

Locals in the lineup, naked men on the beach

Water Condition

Relatively clean

Biarritz, France - Surf Video

Guethary

Surf Location

Laid-back French town south of Biarritz. The break is to the right of the harbor.

Best Swell Direction

North, Northwest

Best Tide

On big swells, it will break on any tide. For the rest of us, it takes a lower tide on smaller swells.

Best Wind Direction

East

Best Surf Season

If you like it big, winter months are for you. Summer produces fun smaller surf.

Wave Quality

Excellent if you like large, powerful, open ocean surf. It breaks well offshore compared with most breaks in the region.

The Surfers

Experienced surfers tackle this big wave spot starting in September

Boards

Short board, long board, or big wave gun.

Paddle Out

The wave breaks well offshore, which makes for an arduous paddle. On big days, mix in large shifting peaks, and you could be in for some real work.

Skill Level

Novice to Expert. When it’s big…experienced surfers only.

Bottom

Rock reef

Watch Out For…

Getting caught inside on big days. Crowds on smaller days.

Water Condition

Clean

Guethary, France - Surf Video

Lafitenia

Surf Location

Located just south of Guethary near Acotz

Best Swell Direction

Northwest

Best Tide

Low to Mid

Best Wind Direction

Southeast

Best Surf Season

Fall and Winter

Wave Quality

Right point break with long reeling rides when the conditions are right. Long walls outside and a hollow section inside.